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From Mom to Not in Seven Minutes: Inside Family Court
City Limits spent months observing Family Court and found an overburdened system where delays were endemic, legal help was scarce and the approach to solving family problems was divided. This is the first chapter in our report.
When Delays Dominate, Kids Lose
Chapter two of our Family Court investigation focuses on the courtrooms that handle custody and child support, where many people try to navigate complex legal lingo without a lawyer, and where running out the clock can be a weapon in warfare between parents.
Blurred Lines Between Advocates and Adversaries
All parties in Family Court are supposed to be fighting for the welfare of the child. But chapter 3 of our Family Court investigation finds that in the adversarial format of a courtroom, players sometimes take on conflicting roles.
React, Reform, Repeat: A Round of Change Faces Family Court
In chapter 5 of our investigation of New York City Family Court, we look at past reform efforts and survey judges, lawyers, advocates and parents on how they think the system could be improved.
A Separate System With Special Rules
A lower threshold for judgment, different standards of evidence, a shift in the burden of proof and no Fifth Amendment protection—these and other features of Family Court set it apart from the rest of the legal system.
'Kinship' Approach Shows Promise
New York recently began trying to get more children who were removed from their homes placed in guardianship relationships with other relatives. While there are potential pitfalls, the approach can save time and money.
Q&A with Family Court’s Top Judge
A conversation with Edwina Richardson-Mendelson a one-time lawyer and then a courtroom judge in Family Court who now oversees the city's system.
City Investigating Home for LGBT Youth
Current and former residents of a group home for LGBT youth say physical abuse, sexual misconduct and financial mismanagement were common.
New Child Welfare Head Faces Mountain of Challenges
Ronald Richter just got what the mayor calls a "thankless" job—running the Administration for Children's Services. We asked ACS's sometime allies and frequent critics in the advocacy world what Richter's chief challenges will be.
Concerns Persist Over Child Welfare Cases Involving Mental Health
As many as one in five child welfare cases involves a parent with a mental health diagnosis, creating challenges for parents, children and caseworkers. Advocates say efforts to address those challenges haven't gone far enough.
Report: Young NYers Face Higher Barriers To Public Assistance
A study of low-income New Yorkers under the age of 24 indicates they have trouble getting welfare benefits to which they are entitled. City officials say the report—and others that raised similar questions—suffers from poor methodology.
Boxing Programs In Fight For Their Lives
Despite their traditional appeal as a way to get tough kids off the street, youth boxing programs are struggling to survive as foundations favor programs whose success is easier to measure.
Defeated In Court, Waste Station's Foes Take To The Streets
Opponents of a planned East 91st Street waste transfer station say the city should reconsider alternatives. But advocates from other neighborhoods believe the site is right for establishing a fairer sanitation system.
Some Young Migrants Face Deportation With No Lawyer
After being detained by federal border agents, Leticia, 15, faced having to navigate the immigration system—where there is no right to government-appointed counsel—alone. A pro bono attorney stepped up for her. But many migrants aren't as lucky.
The Principal Is New. The School Is Closing.
With new boss Dennis Walcott, the city school system gets a new chance to improve relations with parents and teachers. But there'll be no second chance for Robeson High in Bed-Stuy. What does that mean for students?
Senate, Assembly Resist Cuomo Cuts To Services
Legislators want to restore many human services that Gov. Cuomo proposed cutting. But the Senate and Assembly still differ by tens of millions of dollars on social funding, and some programs still face elimination.
Controversy Over Alleged Muslim Radicalization Not New
In 2007, the NYPD released a report about "the homegrown threat" that troubled local Muslim leaders by labeling innocuous behavior, like displaying concern for "the greater good," as possible hallmarks of "jihadization."
Izzy, Ippies Honor City Limits
City Limits' magazine coverage of the Harlem Children's Zone, synthetic turf in city parks and other topics garnered three journalism prizes this week.
Cuomo's Cuts Could Hit The Poor
The tiff between Albany and City Hall over education aid isn't the only fight brewing over the governor's budget. His cuts to public assistance, homeless services and child welfare are also coming under fire.
Questions About Mayor's Plan To Run Youth Jails
Few would deny that state-run juvenile detention facilities are flawed. But a Bloomberg bid to take control of some of those sites has raised a new set of issues.
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BLOG ENTRIES
Report: Shift in Child Welfare Policy Undermined by Budget Moves - Helen Zelon
The IBO depicts a profound change at the Administration for Children's Services, with preventive offerings replacing foster care as the agency's go-to policy. But questionable budget decisions undercut the impact of the shift.
NY Pols Tout Bill Targeting Jobless Youth - Kiera Feldman
The Urban Jobs Act would provide $20 million for services to unemployed young people. Amid partisan rancor, will the idea survive Congress? Against record youth unemployment, will it make a difference if it does?
EVENTS
A Place at the Table
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
6:00pm -
Word for Word: Dan Savage
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Justice For All: Appleseed at 20
Thursday, June 20, 2013
6:00p - 9:00p
CONVERSATIONS/OPINONS
Who Cares About New York’s Teen Fathers?
The city's teenaged dads can make a huge difference in the lives of their kids. Yet they are forced to navigate Family Court with little guidance, and must deal with agencies and jurists who know next to nothing about them.
Teen Sex Message Minces Few Words
Some have criticized the words that teens use to discuss sex in a new series of public service announcements. This author argues the only way to reach at-risk youth is to speak their language.
Planning For Cities' Future Must Be Fair
As the Regional Plan Association convenes its annual assembly, one participant notes that along with efficiency and the environment, equity must be a goal of urban planners.
A Liquid Asset: Why NYC Must Invest In Its Harbor
Many cities have realized that natural resources are economic advantages, especially in attracting and retaining young professionals. For New York to compete, this op-ed argues, we must put more of our money where our water is.
City Should Be Cautious About Synthetic Turf
Our athletic fields must be safe and must not adversely impact the health of those using them, says the City Councilmember who chairs the Council's Parks and Recreation Committee.
MULTIMEDIA
Poverty In Brooklyn: A Block by Block Analysis
The Institute for Children, Poverty, & Homelessness provide an in-depth look at New York City's largest borough's poverty rates.
Emerging, Evolving: NYC's Changing Latino Population
A look at how New York City's Latino population changed from 2000 to 2010, including the shifting size of Puerto Rican, Dominican and Mexican communities, and which boroughs they're favoring.
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CITY LIMITS EVENTS
Defining Brooklyn Launch
City Limits celebrates the launch of its March 2011 issue: Defining Brooklyn.The 35th Anniversary Celebration
City Limits celebrates its 35th Anniversary at BMCC in Tribeca.Brooklyn Bureau Launch
The Brooklyn Bureau launch as part of Social Media Week 2012.Tackling Poverty
The Tackling Poverty Series at Galapagos Art Space in the DUMBO section of Brooklyn.Tackling Poverty (Manhattan)
City Limits & the Institute for Children, Poverty, and Homelessness
